OBJECTIVE:

In patients with subacute spinalcordinjury (SCI), the motor system undergoes progressive structural changes rostral to the lesion, which are associated with motor outcome. The extent to which the sensorysystem is affected and how this relates to sensoryoutcome are uncertain.

RESULTS:

At 12 months from baseline, sensory scores were unchanged and below-level neuropathic pain became prominent. Compared with controls, patients showed progressive degenerative changes in cervical cord and brain morphometry across the sensorysystem. At 12 months, MT and R1 were reduced in areas of structural decline. Sensory scores at 12 months correlated with rate of change in cord area and brain volume and decreased MT in the spinalcord at 12 months.

INTERPRETATION:

This study has demonstrated progressive atrophic and microstructural changes across the sensorysystem with a close relation to sensoryoutcome. Structural MRI protocols remote from the site of lesion provide new insights into neuronal degeneration underpinning sensory disturbance and have potential as responsive biomarkers of rehabilitation and treatment interventions. Ann Neurol 2015.